8 Days Uganda Primates and Wildlife Safari – Gorillas, Chimps & Big Game with Pieland Gorilla Safaris
This 8 days Uganda primates and wildlife safari combines the country’s most iconic experiences—Rhino tracking, big game encounters, chimpanzee trekking, boat safaris, and the unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Designed for travelers seeking a complete wildlife circuit, this itinerary covers Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Lake Bunyonyi National Park.
8 Days Uganda primates and wildlife safari Summary
- Day 1: Pick-up & Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Day 2: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise on the Nile
- Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
- Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (via Ishasha)
- Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Detailed 8 Days Uganda Primates and Wildlife Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Pick-up & Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Your 8 Days Uganda Primates and Wildlife Safari begins with a warm welcome from our professional Pieland Safari guide, followed by a briefing and comfortable drive northwards. Along the way, you will visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda to track wild rhinos on foot.
After the rhino experience, continue to Murchison Falls National Park with an en-route lunch. Upon reaching the park, visit the Top of the Falls, where the Nile River explodes through a narrow 7-meter gorge—an unforgettable sight.
Dinner & Overnight:
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Budget: Parkside Safari Lodge
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Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Day 2: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise on the Nile
After an early breakfast, embark on a sunrise game drive through the northern savannah plains. Expect sightings of:
Elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, oribis, waterbucks, hartebeest, warthogs, plus predators such as lions, leopards (if lucky), and hyenas. The birdlife is exceptionally rich.
Return for lunch.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls, one of Africa’s most dramatic wildlife spectacles. Watch large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants and buffalo along the shores, plus abundant bird species.
Dinner & Overnight: Same as Day 1
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, check out and begin your scenic journey to Kibale Forest, the Primate Capital of East Africa. The route passes beautiful landscapes—tea plantations, crater lakes, the Rwenzori “Mountains of the Moon,” and rural communities.
Enjoy an en-route lunch before arriving at your lodge.
Dinner & Overnight:
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Budget: Kibale Forest Lodge
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Midrange: Chimpanzee Guest House
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, proceed to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. With an expert ranger, walk into the forest to track a habituated chimpanzee community. Along the way, look out for red-tailed monkeys, colobus, blue monkeys, baboons, forest birds, and rare vegetation.
Once you find the chimpanzees, enjoy a thrilling one-hour encounter as you watch them socialize, feed, groom, and play.
Return for lunch before transferring to Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying scenic views en route.
Dinner & Overnight:
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Budget: Queen Elizabeth Safari Lodge
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Midrange: Elephant Hab Lodge
Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Your day begins with a game drive in the Kasenyi savannah plains, famous for lions, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, kobs, and rich birdlife. You may also spot leopards resting in trees or prowling for prey.
Return to the lodge for lunch.
At 2:00 pm, join a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s densest wildlife and birding hotspots. View hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and countless water birds—all at close range.
Dinner & Overnight: Same as Day 4
Day 6: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (via Ishasha)
After breakfast, check out and begin your journey to Bwindi. Pass through the Ishasha sector, known for the famous tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees (sightings depend on luck). Continue to Bwindi for dinner and rest in preparation for the gorilla trek.
Dinner & Overnight:
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Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp
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Midrange: Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp
Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Today is the highlight of your safari. After an early breakfast, transfer to the Bwindi park headquarters for a detailed briefing. You’ll trek for 30 minutes to several hours depending on the location of the gorilla family.
When you meet the mountain gorillas, spend one unforgettable hour watching them feed, groom, play, and interact. This is one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth.
After trekking, you’ll receive your gorilla trekking certificate and begin your scenic drive to Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda’s most beautiful and deepest lake.
Dinner & Overnight:
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Midrange: Arcadia Cottages
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Budget: Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi Boat Cruise & Return to Kampala/Entebbe/Kigali
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi, exploring some of its 29 islands, birdlife, terraced hills, and tranquil scenery.
After the cruise, begin your return journey to Kampala or Entebbe, with an en-route lunch. Your driver-guide will drop you off at the airport or at a preferred location.
End of the 8 Days Uganda Primates & Wildlife Safari
Price Includes
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Gorilla trekking permit – $800 per person
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Chimpanzee trekking permit – $250 per person
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Park entrance fees & game drives
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Boat cruises (Murchison & Kazinga Channel)
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Rhino tracking at Ziwa
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Professional English-speaking driver-guide
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All accommodation as per itinerary
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All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
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Pick-up and drop-off in Kampala/Entebbe
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A 4×4 pop-up roof safari van with fuel
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Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
Price Excludes
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International flights & visas
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Travel/life insurance
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Optional activities (lion tracking, nature walks, etc.)
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Alcoholic beverages & personal expenses
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Tips, souvenirs, laundry
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Porter hire for gorilla trekking
